Even though they’re not participating, the Tractor Boys are likely keeping a close watch on the play-offs.
Even if Ipswich Town secure automatic promotion to the Premier League in the final stretch of the Championship, they might still keep an eye on the play-offs for a chance to recruit from their fellow second-tier competitors.
Young defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis, currently on loan at Southampton from Manchester City, has had a stellar season in the center of defense for the Saints, and Southampton will undoubtedly be eager to retain him if possible.
However, the south coast club’s recent struggles have put their promotion aspirations in jeopardy. Should their fears materialize, it could lead to Harwood-Bellis’s departure.
On the flip side, Ipswich Town is in a favorable position to secure automatic promotion to the Premier League and might consider leveraging Southampton’s predicament to their advantage.
The Saints face the possibility of Harwood-Bellis departing if they fail to secure promotion to the Premier League.
The 22-year-old has adapted smoothly to life at St Mary’s Stadium, demonstrating consistent performances that reflect his comfort at that level, despite his youth.
With 38 starts in the heart of the Saints’ defense this season, he has proven his importance to the team, and the club undoubtedly wishes to retain him if feasible.
Harwood-Bellis has openly voiced his eagerness to remain at the club beyond his loan spell, but with one caveat: the club must regain its Premier League status.
Harwood-Bellis’s loan history, according to Transfermarkt:
| Team (Season) | League | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|—————|——–|——|——-|———|
| Southampton (23/24) | Championship | 38 | 2 | 3 |
| Burnley (22/23) | Championship | 32 | 1 | 2 |
| Stoke City (21/22) | Championship | 22 | 0 | 1 |
| Anderlecht (21/22) | Jupiler Pro League | 16 | 0 | 2 |
| Blackburn Rovers (20/21) | Championship | 19 | 0 | 0 |
This sentiment is mirrored in his loan agreement, where Southampton’s promotion to the Premier League would trigger a clause allowing them to sign the England U21 player for £20 million in the upcoming transfer window.
Southampton has heavily relied on Harwood-Bellis, so a failure to secure promotion could have significant financial and strategic consequences.
Regardless, he is expected to transfer this summer.
Under contract with City until the summer of 2025, a deal inked last summer to safeguard his value for this precise juncture, this summer seems to offer Harwood-Bellis the ideal opportunity to depart the Etihad in pursuit of consistent top-tier football.
The brevity of the extension implies this was the plan all along. However, the likelihood of the young defender displacing established talents like Ruben Dias seems slim at this early stage of his career.
Having acclimatized to regular football and becoming an integral part of a senior squad, Harwood-Bellis is unlikely to relish the prospect of reverting to academy football or a peripheral role at City, which could impede his development and the progress made this season.
Despite this, his desire for Premier League action is unwavering. Thus, if Southampton cannot fulfill this requirement, Ipswich could emerge as a viable option, contingent upon their own promotion.
Should the Tractor Boys secure promotion while Southampton falter in the play-offs, Ipswich could be well-placed to swoop in and secure the deal.
Harwood-Bellis would strengthen the squad ahead of a challenging season.
Having recently ascended from League One last season, a sudden leap to the Premier League would likely present Ipswich with their toughest challenge in quite some time.
Moreover, their defensive lineup is currently thin, with only a handful of recognized center-backs and an abundance of full-backs. Therefore, bolstering their backline is imperative, considering they may spend more time defending than attacking in the upcoming season.
In the event that Southampton fails to secure promotion, Ipswich may face competition for Harwood-Bellis’s signature. However, one advantage they possess is the promise of regular first-team opportunities in the Premier League, a factor of significance to the young defender that may not be available elsewhere.
Even if their automatic promotion is confirmed, the Tractor Boys will keep a close eye on the playoffs. They should leverage their position effectively if it presents an opportunity to secure the signing of Harwood-Bellis.